Madcity Nights - December 2018
Previews of shows around Madison for December 2018
by Max Ink
December 2018
Chicago's Ivy Ford plays Knuckle Down Saloon on December 29th
Jackyl w/ Royal Bliss and Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey
Saturday, December 8 @ 8pm
Crystal Grand Music Theatre
Jesse James Dupree set the world on fire with his ridiculous voice and a chainsaw solo and AC/DC-style hard rock has never been the same. He hit right before Grunge disemboweled the hair bands and he’s been able to tour on that shit for nearly thirty years. C’mon, Jackyl set the Guinness record for 100 shows in 50 days and 21 shows in 24 hours, you know they’re going to deliver an amazing fun show. Plus Royal Bliss has an all-time great vocalist in Neal Middleton and Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey are as authentic big-hearted small town Wisconsin as you can get!
By Mike Huberty
Loving Cup
A Rolling Stones Tribute
Saturday, December 8 @ 2pm
High Noon Saloon
An all-star band of Madcity rockers this tribute to the Rolling Stones features keyboardist Andrew Rohn and singer/trumpeter Catherine Capellaro of VO5, guitarist Jonathon Zarov of Swamp Thing, Aaron Sholz on bass, Joey Zarda guitar, Eric Salisbury on drums, Jim Shropshire on sax and Robb Henn on trombone. By Rökker
WORT 43rd Annual Birthday Bash
Jaedyn James & the Hunger
Sunday, December 9 @ 7pm
High Noon Saloon
If you missed Jaedyn James performing at AtwoodFest this year here is your next chance to see this talented band from Minneapolis. Jaedyn belts out soulful vocals over an energetic funk band with a great horn section. Happy Birthday WORT, you guys rock! By Rökker
Richard Thompson Electric Trio
Wednesday December 12 @ 7:30pm
The Barrymore Theatre
Fifty years since he debuted with Fairport Convention, there’s just no stopping blues-with-a-brogue folk icon Richard Thompson whose recent, “13 Rivers,” is a testament to endurance, strength, skill and grace. Studio-honed and road-tested, Thompson’s bristling guitar works magic besides bassist Taras Prodaniuk and drummer Michael Jerome. Don’t miss what is sure to be the hottest night this December. By John Noyd
William Elliott Whitmore
Friday, December 14 @ 8pm
Majestic Theatre
A strong song-writer, Iowa banjo-punk Whitmore returns to Madison promoting an album of covers. For his Bloodshot Records, debut William reveals an eclectic play-list converting Bill Withers, Bad Religion and Captain Beefheart into whiskey-scorched torch-songs filled with stubborn sorrows. End the year in rock-solid solace and catch WEW as he tears through his eight-city Midwest tour.
By John Noyd
Shawn Holt & the Teardrops
Saturday, December 15 @ 9pm
Club Tavern
Shawn may not (yet) have the deep gruff vocals or boulder-steady lunk-a-lunk riff that his dad, the late Morris Holt (Magic Slim) made a trademark - but the junior Holt maintains the traditional Chicago blues style with a top-flight band that regularly tours the U.S. and overseas. By Dave Leucinger
The Cash Box Kings
Saturday, December 15 @ 7pm
Tyranena Brewing Co. (Lake Mills)
Houserocking blues masters The Cash Box Kings, touring in support of their Alligator Records debut, ROYAL MINT, will give a free performance at the Tyranena Brewing Company in Lake Mills on Saturday, December 15, 2018. With deep feeling and top-shelf talent, The Cash Box Kings play tough, real deal classic Chicago blues with boundless energy. They also deliver raw, passionate Delta blues, jumping proto-rock ‘n’ roll, and steamrolling “bluesabilly,” their original mix of Chicago blues and Memphis rockabilly. By Rökker
Kurt Vile with Jessica Pratt
Thursday, December 20 @ 8pm
The Sylvee Theater
A Madison favorite and for good reason Vile tells tales swinging between spring-fed dream-folk and gritty indie-rock. A master of everyman stamina nailing life’s elusive truths with cool, Kurt will undoubtedly showcase his new groove-infused, “Bottle It In.” Hopefully previewing her forthcoming, “Quiet Signs,” bohemian balladeer Jessica Pratt promises to open the articulate evening with soul-baring clarity.
By John Noyd
Post Social w/ Lameena and Laundry
Saturday, December 29 @ 7pm
The Crystal Corner
If Built To Spill had sex with Bob Mould and they all did a bunch of coke, you’d get Post Social. Excellent 90s-style guitar rock with sweet harmonized melody lines and a drummer who isn’t afraid to kick it in the ass, they’re releasing a new single like at the Crystal on the Saturday before New Year’s. It’s the kind of sound that works perfectly in that bar on that snowy corner on a coldass December night.
By Mike Huberty
Tent Show Toubadours
w/ North Breese and All Good Things
Thursday, December 27 @ 8pm
The Art In
So, two days after Christmas get some music on. Your family is probably gone so you can actually start drinking again without judgment. Start New Year’s early with the Tent Show Troubadours. Bob Hoot and the boys and girls have a nice full Replacements-ish Midwestern rock sound, with thick clean-tone guitars and simple crowd-pleasing hooks and beats.
By Mike Huberty
Ivy Ford
Saturday, December 29 @ 9pm
Knuckledown Saloon
Still in her 20’s, Ms. Ford has the stage presence, vocal command, and songwriting chops of a seasoned veteran - oh, and she’s a helluva guitarist, too. Once dubbed the “Blues Kitten,” she’s better described these days as a Mama Lioness - able to deliver a lethal attack in just seconds.
By Dave Leucinger
Crucible Grand Opening Party
Monday, December 31 @ 9pm
Crucible
Just when the music scene felt the sky was falling along comes the Crucible, a brand new 325 capacity live music venue and dance club on Madison’s eastside. In a neighborhood where no amplifier could be too loud, the Crucible will play home to live music, dj, burlesque and many of the other fine features one might find at a club like…. the Inferno. The build-out from the ground up is nearly complete and has live music in mind with a loading dock direct to the stage and stage access to the green room. Musicians are going to love playing this club and fans are going to get some amazing shows! Snuggled right next to Select Video and just down a few buildings from Ultimate Arts Tattoo, the Crucible is located at 3116 Commercial Avenue off HWY 30.
By Rökker